The following is the Canadian Muslim Forum (FMC-CMF) statement about Islamophobia summit July 22nd 2021
Following the terror attack in London, Ontario; the 2017 terror aggression in Quebec City; the violent assaults against Muslim women across the county; and the surge of hate incidents and speech against Canadian Muslims, Islam and their values, it has become extremely clear that Islamophobia as an extreme form of hate is a security threat to our nation and to the harmony of our Canadian society.
As the bitter facts become undeniable, the importance of the Islamophobia summit becomes more of an urgent need. The proposed summit should provide an opportunity for a deep and a profound discussion on the issue at the tables of the government, political, and civic stakeholders with objective of concluding with very concrete short, mid and long term proposals and solutions.
Declaration points:
- Hate speech: There is a clear difference between freedom of speech and hate speech. Hate speech leads to hate, and freedom of speech leads to an enrichment of democracy. Any speech that leads to violence and bigotry should not fall under the reason for freedom of speech.
- Social media: while respecting freedom of speech, there is a need for solid legislations to assert that social media platforms are not turned into feeding podiums for racism and prejudice. Those who preach violent hate should be identified and brought to justice.
- Extreme right and supremacy-based ideologies that leads to violence should be addressed as they are the creeds that are being adopted by the perpetrators of the violent Islamophobic terror assaults and aggressions.
- Laws and rules, although at the provincial levels, have implications that hit Canadian citizens hard. As evidence, Bill 21 clearly targets Quebecois young women because of their choice of dress and beliefs. One survey after the other prove that the implications of Bill 21 has deepened the Islamophobic wounds and for so many, it invited hate against Canadian Muslims mainly in Quebec.
- Addressing openly what media reports have called a toxic Islamophobic environment within some of the Canadian federal security agencies. This sort of atmosphere has its very severe influence on even the process of decision-making in courts, refugee claimants, and the targeting of Canadian citizens and residents based on their religious and ethnic backgrounds.
- Hidden racism is one of the most complicated challenges that needs a special approach from the authorities to be able to be tackled and addressed. Hidden racism is mainly demonstrated in job market hiring, career opportunities and the occupying of higher posts. It’s also manifested in what is considered as a double standard when it comes Canadian Muslims in particular. As an example, the impacts of the Youth Protection Agency in Quebec--although a provincial body-- are felt by Canadian citizens and residents in the province. There are many negative incidents related to how the Youth Protection Agency in Quebec dealt with issues relating to Muslim families, and it’s widely believed that these dealings would have been less severe if the families were non-Muslims.
- Security and safety of Muslim Canadians: FMC-CMF believes that one of most dangerous aspects of Islamophobia is the violence and terror directed at Muslim citizens and their institutions across the country. As Canada have witnessed a spike in such incidents, it’s becoming much more urgent for an action-inclusive plan to address such a very alarming phenomena before it gets out of control and claims more innocent Canadians lives.
- One of the positive narratives in facing Islamophobia could be by clearly recognizing the contribution of Canadian Muslims in the society at large and at all social, economic and political levels.
- Women are the most visible victims of the Islamophobia ideology and the extreme populist elements in society. Opening opportunities to Canadian Muslim women in key positions is another component that sends a clear message that all Canadians are equal and all can join the efforts in making Canada a multicultural country.
Concrete infrastructure to address Islamophobia has been made in tangible moves within the last few years, starting at the adoption of Petition e-411 that led to both the condemnation of Islamophobia twice at the House, and consequently to private motion, M103, and its recommendations. Furthermore, came the outlining of the definition of Islamophobia by the federal ministry of Heritage, and the designation of January 29 as the day of action against Islamophobia.
Sincere political will, clear policies and rules, and cooperation with civic societies and communities can bring us all as Canadians closer to diminishing the impact of hate, racism, and bigotry in Canada.
FMC-CMF is looking forward to the summit on Islamophobia and the conclusive plans on how to deal with the subject matter in a timely fashion at all levels of influence in Canadian society.
Samer Majzoub, president.
Initiator of petition e-411, recognition and condemnation of all forms of Islamohpobia in Canada.
[email protected]